For decades Iraq has been caught between the competing regional interests of the US and Iran. In the ultimate settling of scores, last year the US assassinated Iran’s senior commander, Qassem Soleimani in Iran, leading to rising military tensions. But perhaps the biggest impact of Soleimani’s death was on Iraqi Shias, traditionally supportive of Iran. With the heroic figurehead gone, even those with close religious and cultural ties to Iran began to question the extent of Iran’s influence in their country, particularly through powerful Iran-backed Shia militia groups.

– Under The Shadow Of Iran, Nafiseh Kohnavard